Meet the Smart Sectors Staff

Barry Elman

Barry Elman is Director of the Smart Sectors Program. He brings over 30 years of experience advancing innovative regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to environmental protection. Prior to Smart Sectors, Barry was the project manager for EPA’s first national emissions trading policy, managed EPA’s $100 million Environmental Technology Initiative, and led the domestic policy team in DOE’s climate policy office (on detail). He also served as the Office of Policy’s lead analyst on a number of major environmental and climate regulations, including the Clean Power Plan. Over the years, he has worked extensively with industry sectors on a wide range of regulatory and voluntary initiatives.

Karen Chu

Karen Chu has begun a one year detail with the Smart Sectors team. She comes from the Office of Research and Development, where she helped manage the Regional Science Program and the Sustainable & Healthy Communities National Research Program.  She brings expertise at the nexus of program management, operational improvement, policy, research, and emerging technologies. Karen has working knowledge of all EPA statutes and programs, with a decade of experience leading new and existing chemical regulatory and voluntary program efforts under TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act). During her detail, she’ll be serving as the Sector Lead for the chemical manufacturing sector, helping to develop a workstream on EJ and industry, and serving as the communications lead for the Smart Sectors program.

Elizabeth Corona (away on detail)

Elizabeth Corona has worked in the field of organizational development and environmental policy since 2003. Prior to joining the Office of Policy, Elizabeth served as an advisor for organizational development in EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD), the Special Assistant to ORD’s Deputy Assistant Administrator and to the President’s Nominee for Assistant Administrator, and as Program Support Coordinator for ORD’s National Center for Environmental Assessment. She holds a master’s degree in international business and a doctorate in organizational systems.

Peter Hillebrand

Peter Hillebrand is a recently returned Peace Corps Volunteer who is just starting his career at EPA. An exceptional analyst with community stakeholder experience, Peter is the newest member of the Sectors Team. He has worked as a researcher, scientist, and engineer and holds a master’s degree in biomedical engineering.